Edition 15 Richmount News February 2019 Want to have a Published by Richmount Rural Community Association party , event, training ? Working together for all in our community A great and challenging programme In this edition: for the year ahead to benefit our • PEACE 1V project community • Arts for our older people This is how Joe Garvey, chairman of the Association, described • DFA Cultural Diversity project the year ahead. He outlined that there is a wide and varied • Creation of Older People’s Forum programme for this year. Including: • From Stone age giants to the 20th • PEACE IV Shared Spaces and Services Re-Imaging Richmount Community project Century - 5 millennia of heritage at Centre is available for hire. • Community Pharmacy project for our senior citizens Ballintaggart The community centre is • Arts Council NI project for older people increasingly being used for • Improvements to community centre birthday parties both for • Good Neighbours for aging well project for older • Loneliness doesn’t discriminate children and adults. people • Our Elders - campaigners and advocates There are facilities for • Department of Foreign Affairs , heating food, and catering • Older People’s Fund -Campaigning & Advocacy • Richmount Primary School can be provided.. • Heritage lottery Fund -From Stone age giants to the 20th • Richmount Playgroup Also available for events Century • Community awards or training. We have a • CLEAR project—emotional well-being—Older people fully range of audio-visual and our Newcomer community • Richmount Childcare project equipment • DAEFRA Micro Grant for kitchen & video equipment Charges: The standard • Have your say. Yours views are important In this section we want you to tell us • Installation of heating & insulation to the Community charge is £10 per hour. what are the needs in our community • Community centre for parties & cinema Any food or cinema facilities Centre and how we can tackle them. There has also been funding over the year from the Halifax would be extra. Ballintaggart is now on our distribution list: Please return this form to the Foundation NI and City Craigavon Borough To book please email: community centre or any member of Council. In total so far in the 2018/19 financial year the [email protected] or Ballintaggart residents are very welcome to the committee Association has attracted funding worth some £105,000 for direct text 07934186635 join us in our activities . work with the community plus another £115,000 for work to the See feature on Giants Graves pages 18 & 19 ______community centre ______Joe Garvey said “ Our committee has worked hard to secure this Launch of Peace IV Project ______funding which will give us the opportunity to provide, with com- ______munity support, enhanced services. We will also welcome the op- ______portunity to work with other older people’s groups , and we are ______pleased that our relationship with Ballyoran Seniors has continued ______to develop.” A summary of each of the projects is detailed later in ______this magazine. ______This publication has been funded under the Peace IV project ______Pictured at the start of the Peace 1V project are : L-R The Hay Days—Farming in ______Joe Garvey, Chairman RRCA; Frances Williamson , Ann Connolly & the 1950s in North Armagh is ______Teresa Murphy , Ballyoran Seniors; Letty Houston, RRCA, Patricia still alive on Facebook. ______McElduff ,ABC Council,; Daphne Hegarty, RRCA; Julie Milligan Like all things in farming it ______Secretary RRCA & John Carson, Tides Training needs fed regularly and seeds ______sown. Please submit articles ______or pictures or just browse. ______See: ______https://www.facebook.com/ ______Project supported by the European Union’s Peace IV managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) thehaydays1950s ______The views and opinions expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect those of the European Commission or the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB). 20 1

Editor’s Comments: The Giants’ Graves were sited near the quarry at Ballintaggart adjacent Another great year for the Association. to Ballintaggart Stud and Armagh Cider and the It has been another good year for the Association. Our programme for our older people has expanded and with it the numbers attending our Thursday sessions. We home of the Troughton family who reside in are continuing in our quest for good relations across all in our community Ballintaggart House. regardless of creed, nationality or ethnic origin. Our older people have enjoyed the many holiday trips. We have been able to When the quarry was being expanded in the organise trips in this year alone to: Westport, Argyll and Bute in Scotland and in 1960s to facilitate the building of the Birches December 58 of us (Richmount & Ballyoran Seniors) were in Donegal town for 2 nights. section of the MI Motorway the Giants’ Graves were excavated,

together with pieces of early stone age pottery including the We are please to have won the Council’s community awards for services to Older People and also the Small Community Group award. It is wonderful to An impression of what a Ballintaggart Bowl which is now in the Ulster Museum. The stones from win these awards ,but we must never rest on our laurels; we have to continue to provide a quality service Neolithic Court Tomb may the Graves were moved to the Ulster Museum and reconstructed there- which is responsive to the ever changing needs of our community. have looked like but when the museum was being renovated, in 2008 they were moved to To facilitate the long awaited Social Investment Fund scheme to install insulation and oil fired central storage at . The Giants’ Graves formed a 4 chambered Court Tomb. heating in the community centre and playgroup we manged to acquire a 21 year lease on our site from NI Water. This lease also gives us relatively long term stability. Unfortunately this came with a £2,000 per There was also evidence of a second Court Tomb at the site.This area of year price tag. The contract for the work, which is costing in the region of £115,000, is due to start in the Ballintaggart was owned by the Sacheveral family who were related to the very near future. The question could be asked is why should a voluntary organisation have to pay £2,000 for a site that was derelict and was restored to use by volunteers.? We appreciate the help of our elected Richardsons of Richhill and the Achesons (Gosfords) of ,. Crom- representatives in helping us get the lease, but without an Assembly we found ourselves at the mercy of a well was believed to have been active in the area. Government agency without ministerial control. A substantial house was built on the site and the foundations and wine cel- In terms of our young people we commissioned a Childcare Needs Analysis which could potentially lars are still there. A newer house was believed to have been built by a improve education and childcare facilities in the area. Dean Jonathan Swift was reported to be a frequent visitor to Ballintaggart wine merchant and vineyard owner named Black and both the history and The emotional and physical health of our community remains one of our priorities and we were very House heritage move on through the centuries. pleased to have been awarded grants from CLEAR for the past two years to facilitate projects for our older people and ethnic minorities. The big question being asked - is it not time for the Giants Graves

One of the main themes of this magazine is our PEACE 1V project which comes under the Shared Spaces to be returned to Ballintaggart rather than have them in storage ? and Services Re-imaging Programme . This is a challenging programme and we would seek community There is a site similar to the original where they could be relocated. support. Earlier this year we had three primary schools from different backgrounds, coming together as part of a project : Peace say it with Flowers which was funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs & If they were relocated to Ballintaggart we could all see and learn about Trade. It was wonderful to see the children all coming though with the same message—we want to live this ancient civilisation which is on our doorstep. together in peace and harmony. Maybe we have a lot to learn from them. The one message coming across from all our good relations projects has been the concept of: Mutual Respect. This project is not just for people from the Richmount and Ballintag- gart areas. We welcome anyone interested in taking part in the project . One issue that we have highlighted in this magazine is that of loneliness and how it does not discriminate. The English Government launched its strategy in October 2018 but we have no such a strategy in They should email: Joe Garvey at [email protected] or text: Northern . Let us hope that our elected representatives and Government agencies take this issue on 07934186634. board. This problem will not go away. It affects all elements of our society and will be there regardless of Brexit, hard Borders, soft Borders. Even the Prime Minister puts it on par with the health issues related to Ballintaggart House, largely unchanged through the centuries. Built in the style of a French Chateau. This is Childhood Obesity and Smoking. the second house to be built on site since the Plantation. A house with a history. Join us in discovering the herit- As outlined on our front page we have a very wide spectrum and challenging range of activities planned for age, social history and culture of this year. Our older people’s projects and our major heritage project will reach beyond the confines of and Richmount and we welcome people from throughout the Borough and beyond to get this area. Let us go back to the involved. roots of the earliest civilisations and trace them down trough the Joe Garvey, Chairman years to our own age. This will be This project is being funded by a unique voyage of discovery. Heritage Lottery Fund

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From Stone age giants to the 20th Century - Accolades for Community Association 5 millennia of heritage at Ballintaggart, . Richmount Rural Community Association to start £50,000 Heritage project Richmount Rural Community Association is to embark on a major heritage project to uncover a wealth of heritage in the of Ballintaggart some 2 miles from Portadown towards Armagh.

The project is being supported by a substantial grant of just under £50,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund. Letty Houston, Joe Garvey & Daphne “This project takes us from the cradle of civilisation in Ireland. The Hegarty were presented with the Age townland of Ballintaggart, Co. Armagh tells a story of an interesting and Sector Award illustrative heritage. This started over 5,000 years ago as indicated by the Giants' Graves (Court Tombs) from the At the Armagh City Banbridge Craigavon Borough Above & below: The giants graves Neolithic presence on the site which predate the on display at the Ulster Museum. Council’s biennial Community Awards Richmount Rural Pyramids. There was a Plantation House which was They are now in storage Community Association won the Age Sector Award (Older Peo- later rebuilt in the style of a French Château. ple) and also the best Small Community Group Award. The As- sociation was presented with framed certificates and two be- Sir Robert Hart, the Inspector-General of ’s spoke trophies made by Ciara Campbell Ceramics . Chairman & Secretary of the Custom Service, courted one of the residents of OLDER PERSON’S AWARD Association Joe Garvey and Julie Richmount Rural Community Association welcomes around 55 Ballintaggart House for all of 24 hours before Milligan were presented with the Small Sir Robert Hart Community Group Award older people to their community centre in the village of Scotch proposing marriage!! This is one of many tales Street every Thursday from 11.00 am to 3.30pm. Home cooked associated with the house. lunch is provided as well as a programme that promotes physi- cal activity and is mentally stimulating. Other projects with the We have Cinnamon's Lane (now Drumnasoo Road) with labourers’ Richmount Elders include a stitching club, training in IT, gar- cottages which served the local watermill on the Corrcullentragh Road (Mill Road). We have the Geor- dening, health promotions, drama, art, photography and story- telling. The group constantly diversifies and innovates to target gian Hannavale House and its sister house on the Armagh Road. and reach out to older people in their community, with a partic- We have tales of strange phenomena and the “mountain dew” being ular focus on older socially isolated males. The group’s aim is to provide a better quality of life and health amongst older peo- brewed long before the cider of today. There is also evidence of battles and ple, alleviating social isolation, and giving members a sense of highway men. This community heritage project will gather local self-worth and importance in society. With cross community, cross-border and intergenerational themes, there are also nu- information and look at the life and culture of former residents and piece merous day trips; and even week-long group holidays that are together the Ballintaggart story for both a local and wider audience. greatly enjoyed by members. There was a water mill on the Small Community Group Award. There will be training, research, video making, storytelling, writing, infor- The trophies which were awarded. Corrcullentragh Road. It was These were made our local artist, This is the first time we received this award from the Armagh used to grind corn and skutch mational trips and it will be fun! We will also create exhibitions & dis- Ciara Campbell Ceramics Banbridge Craigavon Borough Council. We had previously flax. The original mill stone is received it from Craigavon Borough Council. still there plays. Our next step will be to inform and engage our local community . We will also be involving local schools in the project with Hart Memorial Richmount Rural Community Association Committee for 2018/19 Portadown, Richmount Primary School and St John’s Eglish, Annaghmore Joe Garvey, Chairman John Wilson MBE, Vice Chairman agreeing to take part in the project. It is vital that our heritage is preserved Julie Milligan, Secretary and we hope to foster the desire to be mindful of our heritage with the Pauline Rooney, Treasurer Committee members : younger generation. We would also wish to have this important area of Isobel Annesley, Letty Houston, Geraldine Garvey, Aysel Isufova , Victor Hanthorn, Mark Hall, heritage placed firmly on the heritage trail”. Shirin Hasanova. . 18 3

Left: Our Richmount Richmount Elders Elders at the Hill of the O’Neill. A very Displaying their artistic talents interesting combination of :art, history, and a Thanks to grants from the Council and from CLEAR we had a considerable programme of art fair amount of exercise activity for our older people. The programme was facilitated by local artist, Linda Hyde, who Below left: the Elders at organised tutors to give instructions on; Willow weaving, jewellery making and silver smithing, Brownlow house hear- stone carving, ceramics and painting. There was also a story telling group formed. ing about the end of World War One and the tragic loss that the is- land of Ireland experi- enced in terms of sol- diers killed or seriously injured. They also had a tour of this 365 roomed house of the former Lord .

Rae Duke and Ruth Millar relating their stories—occasionally the men in the group were allowed to say a few words !!The group was facilitated by Martelle Mc Partland who has joined us again for the current CLEAR project

The feedback sessions to the visits are important to remind people of the Take Notice element of the 5 Steps to Well-being Particularly things we often experience in new surroundings: What did we hear? What did we smell? What did we notice was unusual? What did we notice was beautiful or not so nice? These are the questions we should be asking ourselves when we are out and about. This helps keeps the sensory parts of our brain active. The Council and Health Trust have Pictured right: Mildred Currie is voicing her opinion on the Hill of just approved our programme for the O’Neill this project. We are expecting a budget of Above & Below: There was a keen interest in stone £1,500 to complete a multi- discipli- carving Above: Violet Hanthorn really getting into the swing of basket making. nary arts & crafts project which has Below: The painting group in deep concentration to be completed by the end of March 2019. This project will be followed by the Arts Council project which was covered on page 12. In this project we will also be working with Ballyoran Seniors who will be joining with us in this project. Now that the Richmount Elders Pictured below: Daphne Hegarty, Victor Hanthorn and have displayed their talents there May Benson displaying some of the beautiful paintings they will be no stopping them, but a little painted during the previous CLEAR project earlier this year bit of competition from Ballyoran Seniors will sharpen them up!!

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CLEAR Emotional Well- Richmount Elders Being project. This group has continued and every Thursday we are attracting between 45 and 55 older people For the second year in a row we are being along to our sessions which run from 11.00 am to 3.30 pm. supported by the Public Health Agency This is now a very vibrant group and has taken on with the arts project and the new CLEAR project through the CLEAR project. which you can read about on page 20. For our Richmount Elders this entails eight In addition, our older people have been on two trips already this Year. The first was for 5 nights in trips to places of interest with feedback Westport in Co Mayo followed by 4 nights in September in Argyll and Bute in Scotland. They were sessions. Already we have been to Hill of the also on a 2 night mid- winter break in December to Donegal town. . O’Neill in ,Brownlow House in

Lurgan, Armagh Cider farm and the Obser- Social Isolation & Loneliness vatory & Planetarium, We plan to go to an This is one of the primary objectives of Richmount Elders. It gives older people the opportunity to

agricultural and linen museum, and the get out of the house, come and meet people and get engaged in activities which they find enjoyable. Yoga classes underway with the female Newcomers as part of Palace in Armagh. the CLEAR project The day starts off with tea/coffee and a gossip!!. This is followed by an activity such as Bingo or For the ethnic ladies we will have 14 New Age Kurling. Then there is a traditional 2 course lunch with tea and coffee. The afternoon sessions comprising : art, parenting, wom- activity could be a short bus trip to places of interest, a talk on various subjects including their health Never too old for en’s health, exercise and Tai Chi /meditation. and sometimes they have a very rousing Question Time as per David Dimbley. Santa or a cuddle !! Both elements of the project will embrace The cost for the day is £5 including lunch. Nora & Sylvia both got the Take 5 Steps to well-being; Connect, Be a cuddle from Santa at active, Take Notice, Keep learning and Give. the Elders Christmas If you would like to join the Elders activities on Thursdays please contact any of the committee Party. Santa felt they members. had been well behaved over the year and The Elders Barbeque brought each of them a This was a great hit this year. Joe Garvey brought down a 1952 Ferguson tractor (donated by Daphne selection box Hegarty) which he had restored together with Association’s hay cart which had been previously He had almost 70 restored under the Hay Days heritage project. The hay cart served as an impromptu barbeque table. Elders to deal with but not all got a cuddle !!

Our local Bulgarian ladies at our first creative art session with Linda Hyde. This is one of 14 sessions for minority ethnic females. It is every Friday from 10.30am to 12.00 noon. Pictured below you can see some of the ladies ‘beautiful creations - well done to all Getting baked in the Queuing up for Gretta Grimason This project is : Supported by the Public Health doing her hot sun barbeque but- Agency Through the CLEAR Project the delicious Shirin is still all smiles food. balancing act

Joe’s tractor was a great attraction to the children in the play- group

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. Richmount Primary School 105 Moy Road Portadown BT62 1QP www.richmountprimary.co.uk

Friends of The Cancer Centre Coffee Morning The P7 class in Richmount Primary School would like to thank their sponsors, everyone who baked for the event and all those who came Friday 19th October to support us! A fantastic sum of £1200 was raised for the Friends of An extensive range of equipment and resources to aid learning the Cancer Centre in . I’m sure you will agree it was a lovely morning and the P7s served their guests very We have been successful in obtaining grant funding, from : Dept of Communities, DAEFRA Micro grant, Getting Ready to Learn and Awards for All to allow us to purchase an extensive range of equipment and professionally with the emphasis on great food and excellent ‘customer’ service! A representative from the charity resources. This helps us to provide excellent, age appropriate play and learning experiences to ensure your will be visiting school in November to receive the money and present the P7s with their certificates. Mr. Simon child’s all-round development.

Clyde, who organised the event, would personally like to thank all our supporters, the pupils involved and Mrs Unique educational experiences through Sharing from the Start Wilson and Mrs Capper for all their support on the day. This coffee morning formed part of the World Around Us & Getting Ready to Learn initiatives topic entitled “Money Wise.” Through this topic the pupils are taught financial capabilities which involves budg- Sharing from the start involves bringing children together from different pre-schools and community eting, shopping for less, saving and how to avoid wasting money. The project was launched with an educational backgrounds for regular joint sessions during the year, aimed at improving community relations and providing the opportunity for positive educational outcomes for young children. Richmount Playgroup visit to Tesco Extra at Craigavon where the pupils were given an insight into the running of a large retail business partners with Apple Blossom Playgroup, Eglish, Annaghmore, and the children enjoy making new friends, by Tesco’s Community Champion, Andy White. participating in music, art and other activities. This is the second year Richmount Playgroup has been en- gaged in the project, which will be running for a period of four years.

Richmount Playgroup is also engaged in the ‘Getting Ready to Learn’ programme, that encourages and develops parental involvement in their child’s early learning. The programme explores four different themes of: Big Bedtime Read, Ages and Stages, Education Works in pre-school, and Happy, Healthy kids. The themes are covered by way of different activities such as parental workshops, play and stay sessions and a lending library of books and other resources to enable parents to continue their child’s learning at home.

Smooth transition to Primary School

Many of our children will move on to Primary One in the nearby Richmount Primary School but some will go to other schools in the area. We have an excellent liaison with all the schools and can help to ensure a smooth IZAK 9 Boosts Thinking Skills At Richmount transition to the “ big school ”.

The P7 class have been enjoying using IZAK 9 to problem-solve and raise awareness of thinking skills in numeracy. Each week the teams of 3 are given challenges to solve using the numbers, shapes and colours on the cubes. They are required to listen to instructions carefully, share ideas in their groups and come up with strategies to help solve the given problem. There is a lot of competition between the teams as they are competing for points to win a prize at the end of the term! The teams must remember to ‘plan, do, review’ in order to be successful!

We currently have places available for children aged from 2 years and 10 months please contact the Playgroup for details.

Richmount Playgroup, Richmount Centre, 2 Derrylettiff Road, Scotch Street, Portadown BT62 1QU Tel 028 38330140 Email: [email protected] Website: www.richmount-playgroup.btck.co.uk

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Richmount Playgroup Where Every Child is Special

With an ever changing variety of social media Apps within reach of our young people on their mobile devices, Richmount Primary School constantly wishes to highlight these dangers to pu- A quality pre -school experience for your child pils and parents. Last year the school hosted an information session for parents which was pre- sented by O2 staff in conjunction with NSPCC. This was reflected earlier this year by the Education and Training Inspectorate (ETI), when it was very complimentary of the Playgroup and in its report highlighted: At Richmount we suggest parents to use the following 5 measures to ensure that you can Standards and achievements VERY GOOD monitor your child’s mobile phone to ensure their safety …. Quality of learning and teaching GOOD Quality and effectiveness of leadership and management and action to promote improvement GOOD Agree that you can have access to their phone whenever you want…Check the Some of the comments also included: ‘staff interactions are of a good quality’, ‘very good standards of phone at least 5 times per week. behaviour’, ‘the children engage enthusiastically’, ‘the children have a very good understanding of early Make sure you know what apps they are using (age appropriate) and know all maths’. their passwords for these apps. You can access the inspection report through the following link: https://www.etini.gov.uk/sites/ Look and monitor the history of their calls, messages, contacts, web-site and etini.gov.uk/files/publications/follow-up-inspection-richmount-playgroup-portadown-county-armagh- pictures. 5ab-0646.pdf. No child needs their phone after 8:30pm or before 8:30am….and definitely NO Pre-school places funded by the Department of Education CHILD NEEDS THEIR PHONE IN THEIR BEDROOM AT NIGHT. Children having a pre-school education are more settled moving into P1, with improved social skills, At all times talk to your child regarding the dangers of social media…. increased concentration spans and familiarity with routines and following instructions. The Department of Education funds your child’s pre-school place for 2.5 hours a day (age limits apply). Remember 1 out of 5 children talk to a stranger every day through social At Richmount Playgroup, we offer an additional 1.5 hours, for a small fee. Parents have commented this media. extra time has prepared their children for a longer day moving into P1, made it easier to settle at school and made them more independent through increased opportunities to mix with other children and adults outside their family circle. This is by no means to say that we agree with your child having access to social media, but Places for children from the age of 2 years and 10 months if you insist on letting your child avail of it, then these points just might help to keep your These children can attend the Playgroup between 2 and 5 mornings a week. Parents sending their child safe. For further advice, log on to www.o2.co.uk/help/nspcc children to Richmount Playgroup at this age have found it invaluable in preparing their child and settling them in to playgroup prior to their following pre-school year. The Playgroup allows children to make choices and engage in self directed play. They develop and improve body control and motor skills, hand- Scotch Street Child Care Needs Analysis eye coordination, spatial awareness and balance, together with early social skills. They discover shape, This report on Childcare needs in the Scotch Street area was commissioned size, texture and quantity . by the Community Association. Costing over £5,000 this report has com- prehensive demographic data on the Scotch Street /Birches One Super Out- put Area (NINIS) . It is an extensive analysis and is beyond the scope of

this magazine to cover.

The main recommendations in the report were the provision of a breakfast club to operate in liaison with Richmount Playgroup and also an after schools provision at Richmount Primary School. Your comments on this report would be appreciated. The full report can be downloaded from our website.: www.richmoutruralcommunity assoc.btck.co.uk

Breakfast Club and After School provision in Scotch Street The provision of a Breakfast Club linked to Richmount Playgroup would allow parents to drop theirchild off from 8.00am and the provision of an after schools facility at Richmount Primary School to Richmount Playgroup provides activities to encourage children to flourish and learn through exploration enable children to be in safe care until 5.30pm. We would appreciate your views on both these in all six areas of the Pre-School Curriculum which are interwoven into play and activities ,ensuring proposals which were recommended in the report. their development in the areas of: Personal, Social and Emotional, Language , Physical, Early Mathemat- It is not suggested that either the Playgroup or Richmount Primary School would be providing these ical , The Arts and The World Around Us. services but rather an external agency, on a not for profit basis. 14 7

“Loneliness doesn’t discriminate” The Older People's Policy, Advocacy and The late Jo Cox , MP used this headline to describe the negative impact that loneliness was having on our society. Just think how our society has changed in the last 20 years. Campaigning Fund Our older people no longer meet at the Post Office to collect their pensions and have lost many social contacts . “Listen to us ” There is more and more online shopping so people don’t always meet at the shops as they used to. This is a £10,000 project designed to engage our older people in our area to be Boy meet Girl is now often over the internet whereas it used to the dance/disco their own advocates and campaign for their needs to be listened to and addressed. or pub and yes the traditional pub is in decline as more people do their drinking at home After all who knows the needs of older people better than themselves. The traditional meet up at churches on Sunday is steadily in decline Children do not go out and play with other children and often they are glued to the computer screen or mo- The project will look at the following issues: bile phone. Social isolation: Loneliness, particularly those that are housebound, but also people How often does the family have a meal together without the mobiles and TV? who need encouragement to come groups and meet other people as loneliness can We are all very busy now—no time. No time to stop and have a chat, or visit our older friends & relatives, often lead people to becoming somewhat reclusive and not having a good quality of life and medical care. No more bread vans, or door to door milkmen and our traditional high street shops are in decline. There is a trend for us to become more self centred as we close the door behind us when we come home Creation of an older people’s forum. This will allow older people’s groups to pool ideas or resources from work and become engrossed in the TV and computer. and to provide support to groups that may need some help. What can we in the Community do ? If this situation continues then the sense of community declines. It can be difficult to run community Bring our needs to the attention of service providers and the media. We have already had associations when you cannot get volunteers and Government does not put real money in to help you discussion with our local radio station 100.2 FM about having a weekly feature on the needs of older provide meaningful services. There needs to be a concerted effort by all our politicians to work together to people. We will also produce a series of videos with older people as the “stars”. Notwithstanding the tackle this problem. This is a difficult issue to resolve but how many of the politicians will stick to their difficulties being experienced by GPs we will still want to reinforce the particular needs of the elderly traditional tribal instincts or political dogma and avoid actually doing something for the people on the community to GP Practices ground? Sometimes it is easy to avoid the real issues. Our Government departments and Councils also need to take this on board in their planning forums and start a programme of actually tackling loneliness. Engender respect for older people and highlight concerns about anti social behaviour . It could save a fortune on health care. This will not just be about meetings. We will also have entertainment and fun but most of all we will Elected Reps Please Take Notice !! want to see positive changes for our older people. If you are an individual or older people’s group or thinking of starting one you will be most welcome as this projects needs groups to collaborate and provide mutual support. Please contact us. You will be very welcome to engage in this project.

Heating & Insulation for Community Centre The contract for this has now been awarded, but we are awaiting some legal aspects to be completed. The Community Centre will be cladded with insulated sheeting and oil fired central heating installed. The Playgroup will also get oil heating.

Floral Grant Hopefully the council will again give us a supply of plants for our tubs. We need the written permission of owner of the land indemnifying the Association from any claims arising from the tubs on their land. The Council will inspect the use of the flowers and how well they have been managed by the community. There will be an award for the group that has the most appropriate and best display. Will you help us?

Thanks to the Community Association and Richmount Elders we tried to make Scotch Street look nice this summer. It would be even nicer if the people in the village had pulled the odd weed and watered these flowers. The tubs were supplied by the Community Association and they are not maintained by the Council - that is up to all of us. Please help and keep the village looking well. Hard at work in the photograph are: Geoffrey McConnell, John McClean and Violet Hanthorn from Richmount Elders. We would also have to thank Nora & Jim Woolsey for keeping the tubs free of weeds and watered. 8 13

Arts Council project for Richmount Elders Richmount Elders in Action We have received an award of £3,900 for an arts project for older people from the Arts Council of . The aims of the project are to reduce social isolation, increase artistic skills , preserve and pass on Live Long rural art forms and to improve access to the arts in the rural community. Keep learning At the end of the project we will have an exhibition to showcase all of the art / crafts created. This Keep active will bring the community together for a celebratory event and will create a sense of pride and Have fun achievement in the participants. The local media and elected representatives will be Avoid negativity invited and will serve to raise the profile of talent and ability amongst older people Bring out the inner child in our rural area. Many different art forms and crafts will be covered including: Wood carving, textile weaving, garden sculpture, glass artistry, storytelling, and music. We are sure to find something to interest all of our Richmount Elders;

A project supported by the National Lottery through the Arts Council of Northern Ireland

This “elder “thinks he is ready Portuguese language classes are now into full for space when he was at the swing at the Community Centre . These planetarium. classes give 2nd and 3rd generation The “inner child” coming out Portuguese children the opportunity to learn Joe Garvey getting Olive Martin set up the language. This is useful in preserving for the Willian Tell shot their culture also when they go back to “Tasting” at Armagh Cider to visit grandparents or relatives . Great afternoons out to : Armagh Cider & Planetarium This was a great opportunity to Department of Foreign embrace the 5 Steps to Well-Being. • Connect Affairs & Trade Cultural • Be Active Diversity projects • Take Notice • Keep Active Peace Say it with Flowers • Keep Learning This project which was completed in July 2018 and was completed by Richmount Funded through the CLEAR project Jean Milligan “necking” a bottle Rural Community Association and Once they got a whiff of of cider and being egged on by Ballyoran Seniors together with 3 primary Madden’s Cider they were Olive Martin. schools: Richmount Primary School, St away with it. John’s Eglish, Annaghmore and Scoil Phádraig outside Carrickmacross, Co Building the Community Pharmacy Frances Hayes , Chairperson of Ballyoran Seniors speaking . We have been awarded a £10,000 Community Pharmacy grant. This will be for our older people and will at the finale of the Peace Say it with Flowers project in the This was a challenging programme but start shortly. This is a partnership arrangement between Richmount Rural Community association and Pau- Richmount Centre. Also in front row Gertie Breen & Lily very successful and has paved the way to la Morgan from the Orchard Pharmacy Portadown McNally develop greater involvement between the Numbers will be restricted to 15 participants but we plan to disseminate any in- Community Association and Ballyoran formation arising from this project to our Richmount Elders group. Seniors. The theme of the flowers and peace was derived from Piscasso’s Bouquet of Peace. We will cover areas such as : Pain management, nutrition and the elderly, exer- We have secured another round of funding from the Department of Foreign Affairs and this time cise/diet, common illness in older people, emotional well-being of older people, our project is entitled “Lasting Peace” .This will involve education trips to : Dublin, Boyne Centre alcohol and older people, foot care for the elderly, & Drogheda, Ulster Scotch Centre & in East Belfast. sleep and the elderly and how to deal with serious Our children leading the way for peace in our communities health incidents. One of the highlights of the Peace Say it with Flowers project was the children from the three There will also be some taster sessions on Yoga, Tai schools. Chi and “cooking for one” We would ask you to watch a short video on their work together. It sets an example for all of us. We will also have some external community voluntary agencies to give https://www.facebook.com/joe.garvey.583/videos/1273073152829614/ advice on various issues which affect older people

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Good Relations Left: Celebrating the successful peace Richmount Rural Community Association has been say it with flowers celebration are some engaged in Good Relations for many years and is part of the children from Richmount of the ethos of our motto: Primary School and St John's Eglish. They worked with Scoil Phádraig Working Together for All in the Community Corduff, Co Monaghan to produce some beautiful wall hangings and banners depicting the theme of peace. Our projects have gone beyond our traditional reli- gious labels to encompassing people from other parts The celebration was opened by the of the world who are living in our community. Lord Mayor ,Councillor Julie Flaherty. Throughout this section of the magazine we will give Also is the picture is Mary McKenna , examples of how we have been making progress in the Department of Foreign Affairs and field of good relations. Trade, Dublin ( funder of the project). Frances Hayes, Ballyoran Seniors, Sometimes to allay people’s fears it better to state at Dure Najaf and Shirin Hasonova from the outset what we are NOT trying to do. the Richmount & Portadown ethnic women's group — with Julie Change anyone’s beliefs or culture—on the contrary we want all beliefs and cultures to be respected. Flaherty and Shirin Hasanova. We do not want to change anyone’s cultural identity, their preferred nationality or political preference. Association to Benefit from What we want is mutual respect for all our traditions DAEFRA Micro Grant All together now. A testimony to our community’s and customs New kitchen equipment and video / photo- desire to work in harmony with each other. graphic equipment is included in this grant of £1,500 . Administered by TADA this is Shared Spaces and Services Re-imaging Programme grant covers some 85% of the eligible In the context of Richmount Rural Community Association this is programme worth some £15,000 to expenditure. A new fryer, chip scuttle & further the objectives of the Programme. The Association receives no direct finance for the project as trolley. Also ,cordless microphones and all services are provided by Armagh City Banbridge& Craigavon Borough Council. Front: Frances Hayes, Mary McKenna, Joe Garvey & Letty photographic equipment which will equip Houston. us for some of our current projects What is it about? Back : Shirin Hasonova, Martin Snodden, Linda Hyde & Dure This programme is funded under the Shared Space and Services Theme of the EU’s PEACE IV Najaf Programme and is aimed to work towards ‘the creation of a more cohesive society’. The Richmount project is designed to meet a specific required outcome of the programme: Why is there a need for this project? “Public facilities /services are more inclusive and therefore lead to an increase in shared spaces” Our Association has been working on good relations projects in the area for the past 5 years. At the outset of the project a community survey will be conducted to ascertain the views of the We receive feedback and comments from our community. To summarise; we are in the parish of community and again at the end of the project. Drumcree with deep rooted religious/political viewpoints. Our community hall is to some extent seen Summary of project as a shared space facility but the Roman Catholic community will generally not go there as their This project can build on some of the work already undertaken by the Association: We have a peace perception is that they see it as “one sided”. The Protestant community perceive this as the Roman monument – via building Peace through the Arts Project. We have awards -Reaching out to the Com- Catholics being unwilling to mix with them but some may be content that it is “one sided”. munity – all Ireland Pride of Place awards, Council’s Good Relations awards. We have had the Council’s Good Relations projects, DFA (Republic of Ireland) projects directed at While 80% of the Scotch Street area and its rural hinterland would be Protestant there are dispersed Protestant, Catholic and Republic of Ireland communities (3 Colours can agree), a more recent one rural Roman Catholic households and medium sized Roman Catholic developments 1.5 miles away on involving Ballyoran Seniors and a current one involving all the groups. the Moy Road. Neither of these Roman Catholic Communities show any desire to engage with the This project would be about rebranding the Scotch St /Richmount area with an emphasis on: community in Scotch Street/ Richmount. Reasons given are fear of rejection and cultural dispositions. “open to all”, with the Richmount Centre/community hub being a shared space. This would encompass the East European Community , the mainly Protestant and the minority Roman Catholic We also have a substantial East European Community in Scotch Street; Mainly: Bulgarian Communities. The project would aim to bring the communities together, examine all the cultures and These people are largely shunned by the indigenous community. In the Bulgarian Community we have historical backgrounds. Look at the conflicts there have been in Bulgaria and how they now live in two groupings: Orthodox Bulgarian and Turkish Bulgarian (Muslim). harmony. Most important look at Irish history which both communities have either little knowledge The individuals in these communities work exceptionally long hours but are socially isolated, of, or were only taught a partisan version. We will have dissemination of the project via web and particularly in relation to young mothers with no extended family. Despite this the Richmount Centre video to bring it to a wider audience. We would incorporate sustainability into the project to give it a is seen as the main community hub for the Bulgarians and indeed a base for Bulgarians right across the life after this individual project completes. Borough. More recently the community centre is being used as a Portuguese language centre. Project supported by the European Union’s Peace IV managed by the Special EU Programmes Body As an Association we work for all in the community and want our community centre to be seen as a shared space and welcome to all. 10 11